Israel Kills At Least 182 in Massive Airstrikes on Beirut Amid Ceasefire

Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes on Beirut on April 8, 2026, hitting densely populated areas.

The strikes came hours after a two-week ceasefire was announced in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Al Jazeera

The Israeli military said it hit more than 100 Hezbollah targets within 10 minutes using 50 fighter jets that dropped approximately 160 bombs.

Lebanese authorities reported at least 182 people killed and hundreds wounded.

The strikes hit areas where more than 1.1 million displaced people had taken shelter.

The strikes killed at least 182 people according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Hospitals were overwhelmed, with the American University of Beirut Medical Center receiving about 70 wounded people all at once.

AP News

Rescue workers dug through rubble, sometimes with their hands.

The Red Cross sent 100 ambulances to evacuate the dead and transport the wounded.

The strikes hit neighborhoods not previously considered within the scope of Israel's war in Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared a national day of mourning.

“CNN correspondent spots scenes of destruction in central Beirut after violent Israeli raids”

CNN Arabic

He condemned the strikes as targeting hundreds of innocent, defenseless civilians.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the attacks barbaric.

Israel insisted the ceasefire with Iran did not cover Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Israel would start talks with Lebanon about disarming Hezbollah.

The strikes triggered mounting global condemnation of Israel.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the escalation was deeply damaging.

DW

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said it was hard to argue the strikes were carried out in self-defense.

Iranian officials insisted Lebanon was included in the ceasefire.

The strikes threatened the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire.